Athletic ball heating device

ABSTRACT

An athletic ball heating device capable of heating an athletic ball using air. The device can include an airflow component that delivers a flow of air to a ball, wherein a temperature of the flow of air to the ball is managed by controller and/or a heating element to increase a temperature of the ball.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This continuation application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/155,192, filed on Apr. 30, 2016, and entitled “ATHLETIC BALL HEATING DEVICE.” The entirety of the aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to a device that is used to heat an athletic ball.

2. Discussion of Art

Many different kinds of balls are used in various sports. At times, these balls can become cold either due to environmental conditions or due to lack of use. When these balls become cold, it often changes the way they travel or bounce and can negatively affect their use in the sport or activity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which particular embodiments and further benefits of the invention are illustrated as described in more detail in the description below, in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an external view of an athletic b. device;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cutaway view of the athletic ball heating device; and

APPENDIX A is a collection of various additional external views of the athletic ball heating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an athletic ball heating device. The device can be configured to heat up an athletic ball by blowing heated air upwards to heat the ball while providing enough airflow to control the location of the ball. For example, the ball can be suspended immediately above the device.

In the sport of Squash, for example, the ball must be heated up in order for it to bounce properly when play begins, Before the advent of this invention, a player would hit the ball hard many times in order to warm the ball up. A player with a cold arm and muscles that are not properly warmed up is prone to injuring him or herself in this process. This athletic ball heating device solves this problem by quickly and conveniently heating the athletic ball, alleviating the issues and problems above.

With reference to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. However, the inclusion of like elements in different views does not mean a given embodiment necessarily includes such elements or that all embodiments of the invention include such elements.

The term “device” as used herein can be defined as a portion of hardware or software that can heat a ball.

The term “component” or “controller,” as used herein can be defined as a portion of hardware, a portion of software, a portion of logic, or a combination thereof. A portion of hardware can include at least a processor and a portion of memory, wherein the memory includes an instruction to execute.

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of an athletic ball heating device 100. The device 100 includes a casing 102 that encases internal components. The casing 102 can be a shape such as, but not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a polygon, a sphere, a cylinder, a tube-shape, a pill-shape, among others. A user can power the device 100 on using a switch 106. Upon activation of power, airflow can begin via an airflow component that is configured to generate a flow of air that has a temperature. Once airflow begins, the user may place a ball 210 above an aperture 104 located in the top of the device 100. The airflow can be directed upwards through the aperture 104, heating the ball 210 while causing the ball to be suspended immediately above the aperture 104. The ball 210 rotates based on air flow and is heated evenly. When the ball 210 is adequately heated to the user's satisfaction or a predetermined setting, the user can remove the ball 210 from above the aperture 104 and switch the device 100 off using the switch 106.

In another embodiment, the ball 210 can be placed in the aperture 104 and an airflow and/or heat sequence can be initiated. The heat sequence and/or air flow sequence can include a profile for at least one of a temperature of the air flow or a rate of the air flow. For example, the rate of the air flow can be a first rate to ensure the ball 210 is elevated to allow air flow around the entire ball 210 but still inside the casing 102. Upon a duration of time for the ball 210 to be heated to a pre-defined or pre-determined temperature, a second rate can be used to elevate the ball 210 outside the casing 102 and above the aperture 104, wherein the second rate is greater than the first rate. In another example, the temperature of the air flow can include a profile that allows the ball 210 to be heated based on a heat or temperature profile that is pre-defined or pre-determined. It is to be appreciated that the heat profile, temperature profile, and/or the rate of air flow profile can be customized by a user, pre-defined, dynamically adjusted by a user, or a combination thereof. In other words, a first user using the device 100 can set a temperature for the ball 210 at a first time and a second user at a later time can set a different temperature for the ball 210. The temperature profile can include a target temperature which is the desired temperature for the ball 210 for that particular user or that is a regulated or official temperature for the ball for a particular sport. For instance, a sport can have a rule that a ball shall be within a particular temperature range based on one or more conditons.

Casing 102 can be constructed out of a rigid material and can be any shape using sound engineering judgement. Casing 102 can include a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a front side, and a rear side. Aperture 104 can be any shape most appropriately the aperture 104 is the shape and size of the corresponding athletic ball 210. The ball 210 can be, but is not limited to, one of a squash ball, racquetball, football, soccer ball, golf ball, volleyball, basketball, among others. The switch 106 is used to power on and off the device. The switch 106 may be, but is not limited to, one of a toggle switch, a push button, a dial, among others.

In an embodiment, the device 100 can be a vending device that requires payment to warm a ball. For example, once the user deposits the proper payment amount, the device 100 can operate for a set amount of time. Another embodiment allows for different lengths of run time according to the payment amount. For example, a first payment amount would cause the device 100 to run for a first amount of time while a second payment amount would cause the device 100 to run for a second amount of time, where the first payment amount and first time are less than the second payment amount and second time. As such, the device 100 can include a money receiving component that receives paper currency, coin currency, credit card, or wireless payment.

In an embodiment, there can be a ball dispensing container that dispenses a ball 210 directly to the aperture 104 to be warmed. This dispensing container contains a plurality of balls and can be operated by pushbutton or lever. Alternatively, the ball dispensing container can also be operated by coin or money input and include an additional money receiving component that receives paper currency, coin currency, credit card, or wireless payment. A user would deposit the proper payment amount into the payment device in order for a ball to be dispensed directly onto the aperture 104 of the device. In an embodiment, the ball dispensing container can be incorporated into the device 100 to provide a servicing unit that allows purchase of a ball and heating of the ball with an optional payment.

in an embodiment, the device 100 is a standalone unit as depicted in FIG. 1. In this example, the device 100 is a portable self-contained unit within the casing 102. In another example, the device 100 can be a standalone unit built onto a non-moveable pedestal.

In another example, the device 100 can be built or integrated into a wall or a court that the ball 210 could be used. In this example, there can be a space above the device 100 in order for the user to reach in to place the ball 210 to be warmed. In a specific embodiment, there is a cover to enclose such space above the device 100 in the wall. The cover can be opened and closed as needed to place or remove the ball 210. The movement of opening or closing the cover can he manual or automatic. In another example, the device 100 can be built into the floor with the aperture 104 positioned at or above the floor level. A cover can be used to cover and protect the device 100 while not in use.

In another embodiment, the device 100 can provide a flow of air that is cold to cool the ball 210. it is to be appreciated that device 100 can deliver a flow of air with a temperature profile that either increases the temperature of the ball or decreases the temperature of the ball in comparison to ambient air temperature.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway view of the athletic ball heating device 100. A power supply component 202 is configured to provide electric power to at least one of a heating element 206, an airflow component 208, and a controller 204. Air can be pulled into the device 100 through the air intake vent 210 and inlet 21 by the airflow component 208 and flows through the heating element 206 where the air can be warmed. The warm air continues to be forced upward through the outlet 214. The warm air leaves the device 100 through the aperture 104 where the air heats the athletic ball 210 while providing enough upward force to maintain the location of the ball 210 and can he suspended immediately above the aperture 104.

Certain embodiments can include a controller 204. The controller 204 can be configured to communicate with at least one of the power supply component 202, heating element 206, airflow component 208, ball dispensing container, money receiving component, among others. The controller 204 can be configured to utilize a timer, wherein the timer can be used for starting and stopping the device 100 or one or more components of the device 100. The controller 204 can further control the heating element 206 or the airflow component 208 to regulate or vary air temperature and/or airflow. In an embodiment, a duration of the timer component can be dependent upon a user setting or an amount of money received by the money receiving component.

The power supply component 202 can be configured to receive AC power (e.g. from a standard wall receptacle) or DC power (e.g., from a portable battery pack). The power supply can distribute electric power internally among the various device 100 components. The heating element 206 can heat the air that flows through the device 100. The airflow component 208 can be a fan, a blower, among others. The airflow component 208 can force outside air into and through the device 100 and out the outlet 214. The air intake vent 210 can be a hole that allows outside air into the device 100. The air intake vent 210 can have a grated cover or a filter to prevent solids and particles from entering the device 100. The controller 204 can utilize a timer to regulate or vary the temperature and/or airflow of the device 100.

In an embodiment, the controller 204 can include a timer component. In an embodiment, the timer component can be programmable by the user to turn off the device 100 after a certain amount of time or to sound an alarm after a certain amount of time to alert the user that the heating is complete. In another embodiment, the tinier is preset with a set amount of time to heat the ball. In another embodiment, once the timer is expired and the heating cycle is complete, the controller 204 will command the airflow component 208 to increase the airflow. The increased airflow will cause the ball 210 to he suspended higher above the aperture 104 to allow the user to easily remove the ball 210 from the device 100.

The device 100 can have a user interface component which can be, but is not limited to, a screen, a touch screen, a keyboard, buttons, switches, among others. The user interface component can be configured for visual communication of data and/or to receive input from a user. The user interface component allows the user to configure the device 100 by defining certain parameters which could include heating time, air temperature, air flow rate, among others. It also can display information such as heating time elapsed, heating time remaining, air temperature, air flow rate, among others.

In another embodiment, the controller 204 can utilize an image device that can he configured to capture an image of the ball 210 and identify whether the ball 210 is damaged or unsafe for use. For example, the controller 204 can receive an instruction that identifies a ball and images for such ball can be logged or saved. Based on comparing the saved or logged images over time, the controller 204 can identify changes on the surface of the ball or monitor an amount of games or time the ball was used. For example, each ball can include a unique indicia or other data affixed or embedded to the ball. In an embodiment, the ball can include an RFID tag with data that identifies the ball. In another embodiment, a bar code can be used to identify the ball. Based on such data (e.g., amount of games or time, comparison of images saved or logged), the controller 204 can communicate to the user that such ball is unsuitable for play. In another example, such data can he communicated via the user interface to a judge, umpire or other official in charge of a match or game the ball is being used.

In another embodiment, the controller 204 can be configured to vary the air temperature and/or air flow according to one or more waveforms or profiles. For example, the controller 204 can gradually ramp up air temperature and air flow rate as the heating cycle progresses. These waveforms can be either pre-programmed, user generated or defined, or a combination thereof. For example, a user can create his or her own waveform or profile for temperature and/or rate of air flow to match his or her gaming style. For instance, a user may want the ball a first temperature and have a profile for rate of air flow and temperature to achieve the first temperature. The profile or waveform can be dependent on a user preference such as, but not limited to, a court location (e.g., indoor, outdoor, etc.), a type of court floor (e.g., wood, clay, concrete, etc.), a geographic location, a weather condition, a playstyle of the user, a playstyle of an opponent, among others. In an embodiment, the waveforms can be inputted via the user interface component. For example, a waveform can be to heat up the air temperature and used by the heating element. The waveform can include parameters such as temperature, deviation of temperature, among others. In another example, the waveform can be to control the air flow implemented by the airflow component The waveform can include parameters such as airflow, deviation of airflow, among others.

In an aspect, incorporated is an APPENDIX A (attached). APPENDIX A is a document that describes aspects of the claimed subject matter, and this Appendix forms part of this specification.

In an embodiment, a device is provided that includes: a casing; a power supply that is configured to supply power; an air intake vent and an air inlet; a heating element configured to heat air; an airflow component configured to create airflow through the device; an air outlet configured to direct the air upwards to an aperture located on the top of the device whereas the aperture is configured to receive an athletic ball and the airflow changes a temperature of the athletic ball due to the air being heated by the heating element; a switch that is operable to power at least one of the heating element or airflow component; a controller that is configured to perform a timing function and the controller is further configured to vary the device's air temperature or air flow rate with a control signal to at least one of the heating element or the airflow component.

In the embodiment, the device can include a money receiving component that is configured to receive currency. In the embodiment, the device can include a duration of time for changing the temperature of the athletic ball. In the embodiment, the device can include a user interface that is configured to receive a user input, wherein the user input is a request for at least one of a temperature profile or a rate of air flow profile. In the embodiment, the temperature profile includes a target temperature and is customizable for a user and is selectable via the user interface. In the embodiment, the rate of air flow profile includes a first rate at a first time and a second rate at a second time, the first rate is lower than the second rate and the first time is before the second time. In the embodiment, the first rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball but maintains the athletic ball inside the aperture and the second rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball outside the aperture. In the embodiment, the device can include an image device that is configured to capture an image of the athletic ball to determine if the athletic ball is damaged. in the embodiment, the controller is further configured to receive an instruction that identifies the athletic ball and tracks images for the athletic ban. In the embodiment, the images for the athletic ball are saved and the controller compares the images of the athletic ball over time. In the embodiment, the controller identifies a change on a surface of the athletic ball and communicates a condition of the surface or a rating for the surface of the athletic ball. In the embodiment, the controller communicates the condition of the surface to an official for a match the athletic ball is being used. In the embodiment, the temperature profile or the rate of air flow profile is set based on a regulation or rule for a game the athletic ball is being used.

In the specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms that have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify a quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term such as “about” is not to he limited to the precise value specified. In some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. Moreover, unless specifically stated otherwise, a use of the terms “first,” “second,” etc., do not denote an order or importance, but rather the terms “first,” “second,” etc., are used to distinguish one element from another.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility of an occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specified property, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb by expressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibility associated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “may be” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while taking into account that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable. For example, in some circumstances an event or capacity can be expected, while in other circumstances the event or capacity cannot occur—this distinction is captured by the terms “may” and “may be.”

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, including making and using a devices or systems and performing incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differentiate from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a casing; a power supply that is configured to supply power; an air intake vent and an air inlet; a heating element configured to heat air; an airflow component configured to create airflow through the device; an air outlet configured to direct the air upwards to an aperture located on the top of the device whereas the aperture is configured to receive an athletic ball and the airflow changes a temperature of the athletic ball due to the air being heated by the heating element; a switch that is operable to power at least one of the heating element or airflow component; a controller that is configured to perform a timing function and the controller is further configured to vary the device's air temperature or air flow rate with a control signal to at least one of the heating element or the airflow component.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a money receiving component that is configured to receive currency.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein a duration of time for changing the temperature of the athletic ball.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface that is configured to receive a user input, wherein the user input is a request for at least one of a temperature profile or a rate of air flow profile.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the temperature profile includes a target temperature and is customizable for a user and is selectable via the user interface.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the rate of air flow profile includes a first rate at a first time and a second rate at a second time, the first rate is lower than the second rate and the first time is before the second time.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the first rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball but maintains the athletic ball inside the aperture and the second rate is a rate that elevates the athletic ball outside the aperture.
 8. The device of claim 1, further comprising an image device that is configured to capture an image of the athletic ball to determine if the athletic ball is damaged.
 9. The device of claim 8, the controller is further configured to receive an instruction that identifies the athletic ball and tracks images for the athletic ball.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the images for the athletic ball are saved and the controller compares the images of the athletic ball over time.
 11. The device of claim 10, the controller identifies a change on a surface of the athletic ball and communicates a condition of the surface or a rating for the surface of the athletic ball.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the controller communicates the condition of the surface to an official for a match the athletic ball is being used.
 13. The device of claim 4, wherein the temperature profile or the rate of air flow profile is set based on a regulation or rule for a game the athletic ball is being used.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the athletic ball is a squash ball. 